The wellness topic I have chosen to explore through the general education
interdisciplinary lens of history is meditation. Meditation refers to techniques
encompassing regulated breathing, visualization, and/or repeated mantras that
are utilized as a method of attaining greater relaxation and decreased muscle
tension. Meditation has also been found to generate numerous other benefits
that align with the physical, emotional, spiritual, and occupational aspects of
wellness, such as increased immunity, emotional balance, and decreased blood
pressure. It can also help with an individual’s weight loss journey, provide
relief from asthma, and assist with confidence building. Recent studies have
found that high levels of stress, which can be combated with meditation, have
been linked to many ailments, including diabetes, heart attacks, allergies,
cancer, and skin disorders. It is a common practice in religion as a way for a
person to deepen their understanding and involvement with the spiritual,
mystical, and sacred aspects of life. Meditation is associated with occupational
advantages, including heightened worker productivity, decreased stress, and a
reduction in distractive behaviors (Loustaunau, 2022).
Some meditation techniques were practiced thousands of years ago.
Researchers don’t have an exact timeframe as to when the practice of
mediation originated. Some believe that forms of meditation have been around
since Neanderthals lived on Earth. Some of the oldest written records that
describe meditative practices come from India and China. There are
documented references from approximately 1500 BCE in India about the
practice of Dhyāna or Jhāna, which is essentially training of the mind, often
translated as meditation. There are also references in writings about early
forms of meditation from the 3rd and 6th century BC that are linked to the
Daoist, Laozi, an ancient Chinese philosopher. However, researchers are
uncertain if the practices described in both writings were commonly practiced
by society at the time (Mead, 2019).
It is apparent that due to the various benefits that meditation provides to people
that it is valuable to the physical, emotional, occupational, and spiritual facets
of wellness outlined in SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of wellness (Garcia,
2015). There are many wellness resources that promote meditation and
mindfulness in today’s society. After exploring the history of the topic and
how research has uncovered the numerous benefits it offers to people, I have a
better understanding of why healthcare providers and wellness coaches
recommend mediation techniques to people. The wellness program sponsored
by my employer offers free mediation sessions multiple times a week. I was
unsure as to why there was an abundance of mediation opportunities, but now I
understand it is because it is helpful toward many facets of wellness.
References:
Garcia, C. (2015). What are the Eight Dimensions of Wellness in Your Life?
Colorado Nurse, 115(1), 6. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from https://search-
ebscohost-
com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=103763107&si
te=eds-live&scope=site
Loustaunau, M. O., PhD. (2022). Meditation. Salem Press Encyclopedia of
Health. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from https://search-ebscohost-
com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=87690581&site
=eds-live&scope=site.
Mead, E. (2019, May 27). The history and origin of Meditation.
PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from
https://positivepsychology.com/history-of-meditation/#meditation
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